Ecotourism Principles in Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park - Research Paper Example

Analysis and Findings Findings In order to evaluate the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park (PCNB) as an ecotourism site a sample of visitors and management of PCNB as well as from other similar tourist attractions were surveyed. The questionnaires consisted of a mixture of quantitative and qualitative data, some of which were measured on the Likert scale. The questionnaire was designed to find out the perception that visitors had of the concept of ecotourism. It sought to determine the motivations and levels of satisfaction of visitors to PCNB. Additionally, it represents the visitors’ evaluation of the location as an ecotourism site. Bar Graph showing responses to the question – What best describes the term Ecotourism? The bar graph above shows the responses to the question – What best describes Ecotourism? A total of 25 visitors indicated that it meant minimal impact on the environment and also ecological protection of preservation. Seventeen (17) visitors indicated that it meant travelling to natural destination and appreciating nature as well as create environmental awareness for the locals and the tourists. Twelve (12) visitors indicated that it provides direct financial benefits for conservation and that it involves community participation while nine (9) visitors indicated that it provides financial benefits for locals. Diagram showing methods of transportation used by visitors to PCNP From the diagram above it can be seen that out of the five modes of transportation – Car, Train, Bus, Bicycle and Foot, only two modes of transportation were used by the visitors surveyed. Car was the most popular method of transportation for visitors to the park. Of the 29 visitors surveyed 22 or 76% used a car while 7 or 24% used the train. Pie Chart showing number of visits made to the Park The diagram above shows that 55% of the visitors surveyed visited the park two to three times, 28% visited more than five times and that 17% were first time visitors. Pie Chart showing length of stay of visitors to Park The pie chart shows that 48% of all visitors surveyed stayed for 2 days, 38% stayed for 3 or more days, while 7% stayed for 1 day and 7% for a week or longer. Pie Chart showing types of accommodation used by visitors to the park The pie chart above shows the types of accommodations that they used. Six accommodations were specified in the questionnaire and visitors were required to state any other option. The chart shows that guesthouse was the most popular type of accommodation used. A total of 29 visitors were surveyed and (12) or 42% used Guest houses, 7 or 24% used hotels, 6 or 21% persons used relatives/private houses, 3 or 10% used cottages, and 1 or 3% used day trip. No visitor used camping site or any other unspecified accommodation. Bar Graph showing motivations for visiting the park All of the persons surveyed were motivated to visit PNCP because of the natural beauty of the park or the scenery. Fourteen (14) persons were motivated by the good lodging facilities and services, eight (8) because of the hospitality of the people, six (6) because of its convenience and quality, five (5) because of the local food and beverage as well as the educational aspect of the park. The responses by the visitors indicated that on a scale from excellent to worst 90% of them felt that the level of nature conservation was either good or excellent. On a scale from completely satisfied to absolutely not satisfied, 41% of the visitors indicated that their eco-holiday expectations were completely met while another 59% said it was met for the most part. Approximately 72% of the visitors were very satisfied with their stay in the park and that they would recommend the park to others. There were no negative comments on the questionnaires. In the interview with Mr. Charles Mathieson the Head of Recreation and Tourism some open ended questions were used to gather information about the management of the park and experiences and opinions regarding the development and implementation of eco-tourism. When questioned about the extent to which PNCP can be seen as an ecotourism destination he indicated that it was about 40% there. He said that it was difficult to manage the Park because 99% of PNCP is privately owned. He further indicated that the Pembrokeshire Coast Path Trail is managed by NPA as a public right of way in partnership with landowners It was therefore not possible to enforce certain behaviours and it was not easy to control tourists either. Even though these shortcomings exist, the park is internationally recognised as a model of sustainable living. This is inherent in new buildings and community renewable energy generation schemes. The park has been transformed into an economy of low net carbon emission by increasing energy efficiency and conservation and by minimising waste. PCNP authority operations meet Green Dragon level 4 standards, which include carbon reduction from transport, energy and waste. The public transport also is low- impact and rail links have been improved. Additionally, the low impact marine and coastal recreation, wildlife countryside are the main strengths of PCNP. One of the many projects - the Pembrokeshire Marine Code aims to raise awareness of is the importance of sustainable management of the coastline of Pembrokeshire. The National Planning Authority (NPA) is working to promote sustainable development through many projects and programmes. Sustainable development it is concerned with balancing the environment with the social and economic needs of human beings. Mr. Matheison states: “We have to balance our social, cultural and economic needs with those of the environment, in order to protect natural resources.” There is also a Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) – that supports projects that provide social, environmental, economic and cultural benefits, to improve quality of life for communities in the park. The Park also implements locally sustainable Design Guidance. The survey of the other tourist sites indicated that some were at the same level with PNCP or higher based on the responses in the questionnaire. While PNCP is open and visitor traffic cannot be controlled, they have some amount of controls in place to try and preserve the environment. The management of PNCP is however doing what it can to try and minimise the effects of traffic and other things which have a negative effect on the ecology of its immediate environs. Analysis of Findings Based on the findings and the guidance given in relation to the principles of ecotourism, PNCP does not satisfy all the requirements to be a full fledged eco-tourist site. It has a far way to go because of its inability to control the use of the park. Right now it is open to everybody. Further, PNCP does not have the influence that it should have on the community. However, it continues to provide positive experiences for visitors and hosts. While the management tries to promote responsible business such as farming to the community, the National Planning Authority (NPA) cannot enforce this. Most of the other principles are to some extent applied but PNCP is still some way off. When compared with the other Parks like Exmoor National Park and Yorkshire Dales National Park, they seem to be way ahead of the game in terms of their application of the principles of ecotourism. Ex-Moor National Park was the first to gain the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism. They sought to emphasise the fact that they embraced the economic and social needs of the area whilst conserving the environmental assets. As mentioned earlier PNCP has some challenges in implementing the principles of eco-tourism but there are some positives. The visitors to PNCP admire the Park and what it has to offer – the flora and fauna and the beautiful scenery so they will keep visiting. Read More